Abstract
Insecticidal effect of volatile oils from peppermint (Mentha piperita), basil (Ocimum basilicum), lemon (Citrus limon) and orange (Citrus sinensis) against two museum insect pests was evaluated by fumigation test. Also, the effect of oils on the antennal segments and their sensilla was studied by using scanning electron microscope. Results of the study revealed that peppermint oil offered the highest toxicity to adults and larvae of the black carpet beetle and cigarette beetle at LD50 level. Larvae of both species were more susceptible than adults to fumigant actions. Among the four volatile oils, the orange oil was less toxic to adult and larvae of both species. Fumigation of the third instar larvae of tested insects with different volatile oils resulted in malformation and disorientation in of the antennal structures and their associated sensilla in the emerged adults.
Highlights
The black carpet beetle (Attagenus fasciatus) is considered to be a pest in the museums where it attacks organic articles, such as furs, hides, insect specimens, wool articles and oil seeds (Back and cotton, 1936)
Fumigation toxicity bioassay: LC50 and LC95 values of the volatile plant oils tested are summarized in Table 1 and these values revealed that the most effective volatile oil against the black carpet beetle (A. fasciatus) larvae and adults was peppermint oil, the same as for the cigarette beetle (L. serricorne)
Results revealed that the black carpet beetle was more susceptible to the tested volatile oil than the cigarette beetle
Summary
The black carpet beetle (Attagenus fasciatus) is considered to be a pest in the museums where it attacks organic articles, such as furs, hides, insect specimens, wool articles and oil seeds (Back and cotton, 1936). Insecticidal sprays, dusts or vapours are commonly applied for control of museum pests. Such application may be harmful to museum articles (Dawson 1988). Usage of synthetic insecticides has resulted in polluted environment, toxicity to non-target organisms, pest resistance and pesticide residues (Shaaya et al 1997 and Ogendo et al 2003). Plant essential oils are considered as insect-control agents because their bioactive chemicals are selective and have little or no harmful effect on the environment and non-target organisms (Zettler 1991)
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